Daily Photo Galleries

Traveling by Jeep, boat and foot, Tribune-Review investigative reporter Carl Prine and photojournalist Justin Merriman covered nearly 2,000 miles over two months along the border with Mexico to report on coyotes — the human traffickers who bring illegal immigrants into the United States. Most are Americans working for money and/or drugs. This series reports how their operations have a major impact on life for residents and the environment along the border — and beyond.

One eyesore down?: Westmoreland County is moving ahead with legal proceedings to sell the decrepit Westmoreland Glass Co. factory site in Hempfield because of unpaid taxes. That should be the first step toward eliminating at least one eyesore from the county's landscape. Here's hoping that in the new year, the no-less-dilapidated Monsour Medical Center and Jeannette Glass plant will be relegated to rubble — and on their respective owners' dime.

Cost of justice: The legal/incarceration bill for six defendants charged in the torture/murder of Jennifer Daugherty in Greensburg has reached $650,000 and is expected to increase as two of the accused, Ricky Smyrnes and Amber Meidinger, go on trial this year; both face the death penalty. One can take issue with the excessive cost of certain things, such as so-called “expert witnesses.” What no one can put a price on, and that which is still owed, is full justice for Ms. Daugherty.

First snow: The first significant snowfall, whether it's measured in inches or feet, tends to be especially challenging both for local road departments and motorists, and last week's storm was no exception in Westmoreland County. Lots of accidents, lots of complaints about snow removal and lots of sidewalks that weren't adequately cleared. The season's just getting started. Let's make it bearable for each other with more patience on the roads and better dedicated snow-removal efforts.

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